Gear Love

You can find a lot of great equipment at a Used Gear Sale put on by REI. From packs to shoes, I’ve found many great things that have lasted me to this day. Here are a few key tips when attending the next sale:

Get there early

Most of the hardcore shoppers will actually arrive the night before and camp out. I suppose that’s fitting to the event, but I prefer to get there at least 3 hours before the event. Different stores will vary, but I’m usually within the first couple batches of people they let in.

Know what you want

It’s very easy to get overwhelmed at all the great gear around you. Instead of lending yourself to get caught in the moment, know what you’re going there for. You don’t need to get too specific, just know “I’m looking for a backpack for a 2 day backpacking trip” or “I need a bike rack for the roof of my car.” This tip will also help prevent you from breaking the rule many REI’s set up, which is not to hoard your loot. 

Know what can be repaired, and what can’t

There will be a lot of gear that’s marked down considerably less than the same item in better shape. You’ll have to gauge whether or not you or someone you know can fix the item on the cheap. I found a slightly used North Face fleece jacket at the last sale that had a tear in the seam. It was marked down 80% for that reason and turned out to be less than 5 minutes of stitch work.

On the flip side of that, there was a backpack that was marked down quite a bit, but the straps were broken and the shell was ripping in a few spots. I opted for another that was in better shape.

Go back later in the day for last minute deals

There’s a good chance they’ll start slashing prices later in the day to avoid having to pack up the remaining merchandise. At the Tustin REI, I was able to get an extra 20% off the clothing and shoes during my second trip to the sale.

There’s nothing quite like a fine print. The National Parks in this series by Joel Anderson just add to that allure.

A few of our favorite

Shop for more over on Anderson Design Group’s store.

I’ve had these sunglasses for just over 4 years. Hiking, biking, running, they’ve seen it all. When I originally purchased them, they came with a soft shell case that’s been great just to throw around and store an extra set of lenses in.

The lenses come in 4 different flavors: Pitch, Path, Range & XL Blades. They each have their own unique shapes and fit. I opted for the Path lens since it best suited my face shape, and the fit is exceptional for me. Amongst the features of these lenses, the thing that saved me by far is its impact resistance and scratch protection. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve either dropped them to the ground, been slapped by a tree branch, or been shot in the eye by a projectile. That last one hasn’t actually happened to me…yet. 

Oakley also offers different frames to fit different face shapes. Though the first hike I wore them was a little trying, I have since gotten used to the fit of the frames and can now comfortably wear them for the entire day. The combination of correct nose pad and molded stems made of Unobtainium (Oakley’s sweat gripping material), keep the glasses on and comfortable. Although, one thing about the stems that was unfortunate was the inability to use the glasses with my neck strap— the rubber in the strap and the Unobatainium material conflicted. Luckily for me, they stayed tight on my face and I didn’t loose them to the torrent I was hiking alongside. 

I highly recommend checking these glasses out if you’re in the market for performance sunglasses. Oakley has been able to manufacture these in the USA and provide great support on their products (especially if you’re in Southern California), all at a decent price point (although the price can quickly add up as you upgrade the components). 

Look out for them at a future used gear sale, or check them out new on Backcountry.

Chris wrote in asking about shoe recommendations for the trail.

Last time I went hiking I wore my Nike Free Run’s and got tons of little rocks stuck underneath my shoe; I have boots but they’re uncomfortable. Any good brand/shoe recommendations?

It’s really all about personal preference on sizing, and the activity you’re doing. I’ll go over the two shoes I’ve been using for the past couple seasons. First up, my winter shoes.

I love the Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra 2 GTX Mids. Yes, the naming convention for their line is “ultra” confusing, but apart from that, they’ve served me well. Here are a few of my favorite features.

1. Easy to lace - At first, I was a little skeptical that the Quicklace system Solomon uses would come loose after heavy use. To this day, I haven’t had the issue. 
2. Very lightweight - They’re about a pound, and at the strength to weight ratio, that’s great in my book.
3. Durable - I’ve bumped my foot on many things that should have injured me, but the reinforcements Salomon put into parts of this boot, especially around the toe cap, has saved me from pains.
4. Water resistant - Although the upper textile is not waterproof, the lining of the boot is. I’ve taken these in rain and snow, and when avoiding big puddles, they’ve always kept me dry. 

One thing to consider is they didn’t break in as much as I assumed. They fit pretty true to size, but don’t expect them to stretch much. 

I’ve also tried my share of Merrell’s, my favorite being the Trail Glove in their barefoot line. I use these shoes a lot during the summer and spring. Of course, I wouldn’t carry anything too heavy, especially when first starting out, but they really give you a lot of feel for the trail. Here are a few things I like about the Trail Glove.

1. Large toebox - Provides plenty of room to spread, giving you more stability when doing more technical hikes or rock scrambling.
2. Minimalist without detracting from your image - Don’t get me wrong, I like the Vibram Five-fingers, but sometimes you can’t wear them to a public event unless you want to be noticed. The Merrell’s are a little more stealth in that respect while providing a lot of the same benefits.
3. I feel like I’m getting stronger - It’s tough to wear these shoes out the first few times, but after that, I feel much stronger. That gives me a lot of confidence in my actions on the trail.
4. They are very breathable - That’s a nice feature, especially during the warmer months in Las Vegas. 
5. They collapse and pack very well - Twist them, fold them, and toss them in your bag. They weigh 7oz, so don’t worry about packing if you need them wherever you’re going.

For a good starter boot, I’d take a look at Salomon’s line. They’re a little expensive, but if you use them on a regular basis, they’re well worth the money. 

If you have any questions, we’d love to help you answer them! Send us an email, and we’ll answer it here. 

Our first Hike & Shoot went really well! Even though the weather was not 72 and sunny, we had a blast exploring the cloud covered terrain of Red Rock. 

We started out with a short hike around the red and white rocks in the  Calico area. 

After the short trek with the group, we had a little fun with some of our gear before getting ready to sell it at our next sale. We got some excellent shots which you’ll have to come back on Thursday to check out.

If you haven’t had a chance to go out to Red Rock Canyon during/after a rain, it’s something else. The mountains you are used to seeing are engulfed with clouds, but sometimes make a quick appearance just to remind you that they are still there.